National Team News

Host Chile got the win expected of them on the verge of the World Cup but T&T left Iquique with more positives in Wednesday’s friendly international.

Russell Latapy’s team, with four on field debutants on the night, went down 2-0, conceding goals in the early part of each half in front of 10,000 Chilean fans who came out to support their side in its build up to the 2010 World Cup which starts next month.

During the first half, which also featured a ten-second earthquake, T&T failed to settle, and were punished inside the opening minute when Pedro Morales rifled home a shot from the centre of the box to the left of goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams.

The T&T back four, though having two inexperienced central defenders in under-23 player Daniel Cyrus and Keston Williams of Defence Force, withheld the pressure and were tidy at most times as the quick and fluent Chilean attackers kept the play in T&T’s half for much of the first period.

Gary Medel and Emilio Hernandez made several attempts on goal for Chile following their first goal.

T&T hardly had a glimpse at goal in the first half with lone striker Devon Jorsling doing more running without the ball than he would have hoped. The midfield captained by Densill Theobald, featured the likes of Clyde Leon, Hughton Hector, Keon Daniel and Kevon Carter, who worked hard to break down the Chilean play in the middle.

T&T strung together six and seven consecutive passes as the half progressed ,and for the better part of the second half. And whenever they kept the homeside at bay for more than five minutes, Biela’s side was jeered by their fans.

However, they had something to cheer about in the 48th minute when defender Sebastien Toro shot home from a tight angle to give the home side a 2-0 lead.

Latapy introduced debutants Matthew Bartholomew, Devon Jamerson and Keron Cummings in the second half and T&T should have scored at least once.

Theobald blasted a right footed effort over the bar in the 58th minute and Hector’s low drive forced goalkeeper Luis Marin to make a save on his near left post in the 66th.

Jorsling’s left footed bullet brought the best out of Marin in the 74th and five minutes later, he had another crack, this time shooting low and wide from just inside the penalty box.

Admitting there is a lot of work to be done, Latapy said he saw sufficient evidence of potential from his young troops.

“It’s never a good feeling to lose but I was happy with the effort,” said Latapy. “Every one of their players possess quality to challenge the best in the world and I think that’s one of the reasons they finished second behind Brazil in their qualification. “I thought everyone gave 100 per cent and tactically we were able to limit their goalscoring opportunities plus create a few of our own.”

Two-time former champions Central FC must win their two remaining Group B matches of the 2018 Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship if the Couva Sharks are to qualify for the semi-finals after losing...

Caribbean powerhouse W Connection could join leaders North East Stars at next season’s CONCACAF qualifiers by way of the Caribbean Club Championship having virtually secured a top-two finish in the 2017 Pro...